ASB/General/TBT-ASB-005

Refurbishment and Demolition Surveys

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A refurbishment and demolition survey is required before any intrusive work on pre-2000 buildings.
The survey identifies all asbestos-containing materials that may be disturbed by planned works.
It is required under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 before intrusive work begins.
The survey must be carried out by a UKAS-accredited surveyor before work starts.
Areas that are difficult to access must still be surveyed — no area can be presumed asbestos-free.
Bulk samples are taken and analysed by an accredited laboratory to confirm material types.
The survey report must be available to all contractors and included in pre-construction information.
Failure to commission a proper survey has led to uncontrolled asbestos exposure on many projects.
The duty holder or client is responsible for ensuring the survey is completed before work starts.
HSE can issue prohibition notices and prosecute where surveys are not completed as required.

Prevent exposure	Asbestos fibres cause mesothelioma and lung cancer — there is no safe exposure level.
Legal requirement	The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 mandate surveys before intrusive work.
Protect workers	Without a survey, workers unknowingly disturb asbestos materials.
Avoid prosecution	HSE actively enforces survey requirements with fines and imprisonment.

Don't

DON'T start intrusive work on pre-2000 buildings without a survey.
DON'T assume a building is asbestos-free without laboratory-confirmed results.
DON'T use unaccredited surveyors — their reports may not be legally valid.
DON'T ignore survey findings or fail to communicate them to contractors.
DON'T disturb any material suspected of containing asbestos without testing.
DON'T proceed with work if the survey does not cover your work area.
DON'T rely on a management survey for refurbishment — a full R&D survey is needed.
DON'T dispose of asbestos waste through normal waste streams.
DON'T allow survey reports to be filed without being acted upon.
DON'T treat the survey as a one-off — re-assess when work scope changes.

See also: Asbestos Awareness | Emergency Procedures (Suspected ACM)

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